FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Europa League - Round of 16 - Second Leg - Manchester United v Real Sociedad - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - March 13, 2025 Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil before the match REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo
(Reuters) -Real Sociedad have appointed their reserve team coach Sergio Francisco as manager from next season to replace Imanol Alguacil who is stepping down at the end of the current campaign, the LaLiga club said on Friday.
Alguacil, in charge since 2018, won the Copa del Rey in 2020 and took Real to European football for five successive seasons. He informed the club on Thursday that he will leave the role at the end of the season, when his contract expires.
The club have again decided to appoint from within, and Francisco, who like Alguacil, began his playing career at Real, has managed their C and B teams since 2017, having previously taken charge of Real Union in Spain's third tier.
Francisco, 45, has signed a deal until 2027, and will take charge of the reserves for the final time on Saturday before dedicating himself to planning for next season.
Real are 10th in the LaLiga standings on 42 points and still in with a chance of qualifying for Europe once again.
(Reporting by Trevor StynesEditing by Toby Davis)
